DOUBLE LITIGATION
BROS HC FT lON OF MOTORISTS. (Special to "Northern Advocate.”) GISBORNE, This Day. Criticism of the action of the police in prosecuting motorists when it. was known that civil proceedings resulting from the same circumstances were pending, was made by Mr .L G. E. Hewitt, S.M., in the .Magistrate” Court, when a ease of this nature was called.
Arising out of a collision, a motorist was charged with failing to observe the off-side rule. The magistrate asked if civil action were contemplated, and commented that if tliis were the case it would be better for Hie police charge to be adjourned. In a civil action Hie matter was gone into very thoroughly. If plaintiff were successful and damages were awarded, defendant /was sufficiently punished, and a nominal fine would moot the case, while if defendant were exonerated, there would bo no need for the police to proceed at all.
“There is no sense in going over cases of this sort twice,” the magistrate added. “In any case, it would be embarrassing for another magistrate, in trying a. civil action, to have a decision already given in connection witli police proceedings.”
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Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 7 June 1933, Page 6
Word Count
192DOUBLE LITIGATION Northern Advocate, 7 June 1933, Page 6
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